WEDNESDAY February 15, 2023
The Chosen Seven
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Acts 6:5-6
After much prayer, in unity, seven men were chosen to serve in the church. Interestingly, they were all Greeks. The first person named was Stephen. The name Stephen means “crowned.” The meaning of his name unfolds his future––his martyrdom. His character was described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. The word faith, in context, speaks of Stephen having enough faith to become a martyr for Jesus Christ.
The second person chosen was Philip. He became an evangelist, venturing out into the city of Samaria, where he preached Christ (Acts 8:5). Then an angel directed him to go into the desert area where Philip met a man from Ethiopia. The eunuch had charge over all the treasury belonging to Queen Candace. He just so happened to be reading the Scriptures in Isaiah 53, and he wanted to know of whom it spoke. Phillip gave him understanding and led him to the Lord. The Ethiopian man declared: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).
Imagine, Stephen and Philip were just deacons in the church, called to serve tables, but God used them tremendously. You see, a person does not have to be an Apostle to be used of the Lord. God can use a deacon or anybody else serving in the church.
Again, notice the importance of prayer before the Apostles chose these seven men. They did not lay hands on them suddenly, as the Scripture warns: Lay hands suddenly on no man… (1 Timothy 5:22 KJV). They prayed and waited, then laid their hands on them in approval, so that those in the congregation would respect them. This is the same pattern we follow as a church. Leaders are approved by the pastors to become elders, deacons, or worship leaders in the church.
The highest honor that God can confer upon his children
is the blood-red crown of martyrdom.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
